James Gore

James Arnett “Jim” Gore, 95, died Sunday, March 31, 2013, at home in Durango, Colo. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Rev. Ken Malcolm will be officiating. Burial of Mr. Gore’s cremains will occur at Oxford Cemetery. Mr. Gore was born August 14, 1917, in Bayfield, Colo., the son of James and Hazel Gore. Jim was raised in Oxford and attended a small two-room Oxford school house. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1941 and was trained as a navigator for the B-17 “Flying Fortress.” His plane was shot down during a mission over Germany in June of 1943. He was imprisoned in a prisoner of war camp for 675 days. He and his fellow P.O.W.’s were liberated in April 29, 1945, and in June of that year, he was released from his military service with honors. Upon moving back to Durango, he began courting Dorothy Klusman, and they were married on September 15, 1945. Jim and Dorothy moved to California, where Jim trained as a mortician at Los Angeles College of Mortuary Science. The young couple returned to Durango to find a saturated funeral home market, and as a result Jim began working in insurance sales for Metropolitan Life. A decision was made in 1964 to change careers and pursue teaching. Jim returned to school to obtain his teaching credentials. He began instructing 5th grade at Riverview Elementary in 1965. Jim also taught at Smiley Junior High School. He retired in 1982. Dorothy and Jim spent many wonderful years traveling after their retirement. He was an active member of the Durango Barbershoppers, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and the Shriners at the Durango A.F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge #46. Jim was proud of his U.S. Military sacrifices; he attended reunions and even returned to Germany in 2005 to retrace his steps from his capture to his release. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Gore of Durango; daughters: Carolyn Scott of Highlands Ranch, Colo, and Evelyn McLaughlin (spouse: Kirk) of Bayfield, Colo.; grandchildren Ryan McLaughlin (spouse: Yunnuen), and Tyler McLaughlin (spouse: Bobbi); a great-granddaughter of whom he was very proud: Lucillle Jude McLaughlin; and nieces and nephews: Ruthann, Bob, Carl, Twilla, Judy, Linda, and Ralph. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Durango Barbershoppers, 622 E. 3rd Ave., Durango, CO 81301, or the Shriners Hospital for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia St., Salt Lake City, UT 84103.